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Showing posts from October, 2012

Fungal Meningitis - Steroids (Updates)

A recent meningitis outbreak has killed 30 people and sickened over 400. The involved fungus, typically has not been associated with such outbreaks. There is a reason, continue reading. The fungus of topic is Exserohilum rostratum . The fungus is typically found eating plant matter in nature.  As we know, mold is very opportunistic and will pretty much flourish anywhere in the right conditions. Exserohilum rostratum  has been identified in lab samples from 52 of those affected and was similarly found growing in unopened vials of steroids. These steroids  seem to be the cause of the outbreak. Exserohilum rostratum  prefers warmer, wetter environments, and has been found on a number of different plant species. They infect plants and in some cases precipitate tissue death. Once the plant dies, the fungus can feast on the remains. It could have found it's way into human patients through tainted steroids. Once inside a patient the fungus enters the dura matter, which encloses the spinal